– There are five percent who have dropped out and it is clearly connected to the Israel-Palestine issue, where they kindly but firmly refused and chose to make that “statement”, says Karin Karlsson, Malmö Stad’s project manager for Eurovision.
A total of eight artists dropped out. Most recently, one of the big draws, Medina, announced that they will not play in Folkets park in Malmö, where a large part of the folk festival around the Eurovision competition will be held.
Artists are subjected to threats
On social media, the artists and musicians hired by the City of Malmö for various events during Eurovision week are posted. TV4 Nyheterna has spoken to the Musikerförbundet, which receives calls from artists who say that they have been subjected to pressure and threats if they do not quit.
– It is a profoundly undemocratic method to put people on certain lists that you do not want to be on. When you ask to be picked up, you get the answer that you will be picked up when you have dropped out. If there is a threat, we encourage reporting to the police, says Karin Karlsson, Malmö Stad’s project manager for Eurovision.
Uncertain if it will be a folk festival
Demonstrations against Israel’s participation are held every week. If this and the boycott will have any impact on the folk festival, Malmö residents have different opinions.
– In any case, I think that it will still be nice for those who want to be part of this folk festival, says Malmö resident Rita Owusu.
– I think there will be a lot of people, out in town and at the various events. But I also think there will be many counter-demonstrations and people boycotting, says Malmö resident Sara Månsson.
– It’s clear that it’s a complex situation, but I still believe in folk festivals and feel that a lot of people will quit. I really believe that many people think that the third way is the right way, says Karin Karlsson, Malmö Stad’s project manager for Eurovision.